How to keep warm at fall shows?

[GretchenSmithJewelry]

As I sit here in my house shivering, I'm thinking about my next three weekends of outdoor shows and I'm wondering how I'm going to stay warm through them. We're looking at low 60s for the highs and low to mid 40s for the mornings. Other than drinking lots of hot coffee, how do you stay warm at fall outdoor shows?

[Former_Member]

Put on more clothes. Seriously.

[ExpressionsInLeather]

When I do an outdoor show that is not on a paved surface I put a tarp on the ground or I have seen some people use mats or rugs. It helps to keep the dampness of the ground from making my feet cold.
At one really cold show I used a therma care heat wrap. I got the one designed for use on the back and it stayed warm almost all day.
I also have a pair of those cheap stretchy gloves that I cut the end of the fingers off. With the fingertips off it allows me to handle money easily but still keeps my hands warm.

[clothscapes]

Dress in layers. Don't worry as much about how you look and focus on how you feel.

[GretchenSmithJewelry]

I like the terma care wrap idea. I have never used one and I didn't know if they actually got very warm. I like the gloves idea, too. My hands are always cold, but I worried about gloves getting in the way.

I know I need to wear layers and more clothes, but I'm so self-conscious about looking professional. Maybe if I start thin enough and work up, no one will notice! :-)

[woodsmokewoolworks]

I use foam carpet blocks , makes a huge difference.
My cold solutions may be a bit extreme for the cold that you are talking about but here goes: insulated coveralls: hand heat warmers inside gloves, inside felted mittens: boootwarmers: silk long underwear( one piece). Wear lots of layers so you can dispose of what you don't need. If they have electricity take a small heater so you can keep the clothes that you aren't wearing warm in case you need them.
I do market outside in the winter when it gets really cold. How I look matters less than how I feel. How I look doesn't matter at all, really. If you are wearing lots of clothes not drinking a lot of fluids helps. Getting in and out of stuff to go to the can is time consuming. Plus I find that if the bathrooms are inside that the shock of heat change can be painful. If the bathrooms are outside , you get really cold doing your business.

[HipViolet]

Hi Gretchen!

I just did a show last Saturday where it was 32 degrees and SLEETING all day! It was MISERABLE!

I agree to not care so much about how you look - and if it is going to get up to the 60's (lucky!!) then just wear something cute UNDER your layers of warm clothes that you can eventually peel down to.

I was wearing long underwear, knee-high socks, another pair of socks, boots, jeans, a thermal long-sleeved shirt, fleece, down coat, scarf and hat. And I was still cold ;) But I 'm a generally cold person so I wasn't surprised!

We were each given a pair of foot warmers - they actually WORKED! Next time I'm doing an outdoor show I will get them again, and probably another pair for my hands. I would also probably do the fingerless gloves PLUS mittens for the times you aren't handling money.

Bring tons of hot beverages with you. That helped. But I was surprised at the food vendors and how they couldn't keep their hot drinks hot either! Boo!

I also admit I brought a bottle of Kahlua with me - a little nip in my morning coffee and even if it didn't actually make me warmer, it made me not CARE as much that I was cold! And our lovely show promoters brought around a bottle of Peppermint Schnapps in the afternoon and everyone got a shot :) That worked!

Many vendors also brought down/fleece blankets to wrap up in when they weren't standing. It worked! Since it was so cold, we kind of threw all the ideas of "acting professional" out the window and none of the customers seemed to care.

Besides freezing to death, I had a great day for sales! :)

jesi

[GretchenSmithJewelry]

" I also admit I brought a bottle of Kahlua with me - a little nip in my morning coffee and even if it didn't actually make me warmer, it made me not CARE as much that I was cold! And our lovely show promoters brought around a bottle of Peppermint Schnapps in the afternoon and everyone got a shot :) That worked!"

I love this! I literally laughed out loud! My husband has suggested taking a small flask of whiskey and I've considered it. I'll have my teenage sister with me though and I don't know if she'll been keen on that idea.

I really appreciate hearing about how the way we look isn't as important as comfort and warmth. I am a huge fan of making a good impression, but I suppose people will understand if look a few pounds heavier. Since it's suppose to be in the low 60s during the day, it's just the 40-degree mornings I'm concerned about.

I love my silk long underwear. It's amazing how well they work for as thin as they are. I never talked to anyone who knew about them before! People think I'm crazy.

I'm glad to hear that in spite of cold days, the weather doesn't necessarily keep people away.

[Former_Member]

Layers, layers, layers. Wear thick socks & a cute hat or ear-warmer, too. They say if your feet and ears are warm, the rest will follow :)

Seriously, though, when I lived in WA I wore a long sleeved t-shirt, fleece pull-over, boots, & fingerless gloves. Then I also hat a hat & scarf (obviously) and an all-weather jacket on stand-by in case I got too cold.

[CarolBradley]

Flannel lined jeans are wonderful!

[Former_Member]

propane heater, keep it out of the public space and out of your walking area and keep 3 walls down.

[LuluDeuxMillinery]

I second laying a piece of carpet on the ground. The ground will radiate cold up through your shoes and having a layer of something between you and the ground helps!

[PrairiePrimitives]

I was going to suggest silk undergarments, but you already know about them. :-)

I'm surprised there are so many outdoor shows in a part of the country where it can be cold & icky this time of year!

[Former_Member]

It can be cold but usually not icky here in florida but not usually til late dec. early jan. The coldest part is set up, cause you start setting up in the dark, once the sun rises it starts to warm up. Dress in layers or bring outer wear that you can switch from coat to jacket to sweater thru out the day.

[MemoriestoYou]

Layers! Make sure your shoes are not too tight with the warm socks. It will just make your feet stay cold. fingerless mitts with hand warmers help a lot. I also read once to make sure you go to the bathroom a lot. When your bladder is full, it reduces your body temperature

[ThePlaidPineconeCo]

It's 95 degrees in Orlando today. I think I'll be warm enough for my show this weekend. I'll have my usual back sweat going on. Thanks global warming. Love ya.

[Former_Member]

yesterday it was soooo cold at my market

I wore socks with merino/possum socks over
Jeans (I don't really get cold legs)
singlet, thermal top, nice top, merino cardy, coat
Scarf

I often wear a down jacket and they are AMAZING so warm & light

[JLMPHOTOGRAPHS]

Lots of layers. Hand and Feet Warmers are great. I always have them with me. Keep them in the car - just incase.

Maybe a bit of Baileys for the coffee. ;)

[Former_Member]

Outdoor shows, this time of year? No flippin' way.
In door shows start around October. The last outdoor show last full weekend of September.

Large flannel wool woven blanket, large mug of hot cocoa and a comfortable chair. The Nature Conservancy show is on an island and its always chilly in the morning. We provide pastries, doughnuts and assorted warm beverages for the vendors all morning....that show is the last full weekend of September.

[Former_Member]

These are a lot of great ideas! My first show was just last weekend and it was cold and rainy here. Not sure a two day outdoor show was the best way to start, but I'm the type to just dive right in (sometimes haphazardly).

I agree layers help! Long underwear under your jeans makes a huge difference (for me), and I'm lucky enough that I make scarves and hats and fingerless gloves so I'm never without something to keep me toasty. I just wish I had worn more socks--or had feet warmers.

[ShadyLaneDesignz]

I avoid outdoor shows. I am always cold, there is no way I would enjoy an outdoor show this time of year. I get cranky and whiney... But I give kudos to you guys who do them. What a tough group of people us artists/crafters are!

[theyellowroses]

I'm doing one outside show this year. It is the 1st weekend in Nov & it will be unusual if the temp dips into the 60s, but I am still worried about getting cold! Thanks for the tips! My hat is off to you who brave the real cold!

[2CraftyChix]

Last weekend, I had on 2 pairs of socks, dr martin boots, long johns, jeans, a long sleeve shirt, 2 fleece pullovers, a large thick Starters jacket with a hood and a fake fur lined carnation pink flap hat.

NO ONE cared how I looked. I sold lots and lots of stuff. I really think that when it is cold - dress warm - if it is cold and you are standing their shivering because you did not dress warm enough then you look more ridiculous than someone who is bundled up.

I wish I had snow pants for the show I am doing this weekend - suppose to be cold and rainy both days.

[Former_Member]

nipper bottles of brandy or peppermint schnapps. lol

[BeachwritingsNJ]

hand and toe warmers!